What grows in Save
Collines, Benin
The 2027 season in Save
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | March 2027 to November 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,039 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — September and October look short of rain. Plant at the early end of the window, favour quicker and more drought-tolerant crops, and keep moisture in the soil: mulch, and weed early. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +0.8 °C over the growing months. Heat makes the same rain do less, so a dry spell bites sooner: do not plant late, and shade or mulch what you can. |
| What that supports | enough rain for one full main crop, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 30 September 2026
What grows in Save
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 30 Mar 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 13 Apr 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 13 Apr 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 15 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 10 Apr 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 21 Mar 2027 – 19 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Apr 2027 – 31 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 17 May 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 30 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 9 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 18 Mar 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 18 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 5 Apr 2027 – 20 Sep 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 15 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 18 Sep 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 18 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 18 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 17 Apr 2027 – 6 Jul 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 19 Apr 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 16 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 20 Mar 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 30 Mar 2027 – 31 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 27 Apr 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 18 Jul 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 15 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 13.9 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 30 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 7 Apr 2027 – 15 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 26 Jun 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 18 Mar 2027 – 26 Jun 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 6 Jun 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 18 Mar 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 7 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.1 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 7 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
OnionFavourable
Plant 21 Apr 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 32.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PineappleFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 30 Mar 2027 – 31 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 27 Apr 2027 – 6 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.4 t/ha expected
· about 36.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
BananaFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 16 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 55.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop -
CoconutFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
LettuceFavourablePlant 28 Jun 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
· about 15.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 47.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TaroFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 28 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerModeratePlant 29 Mar 2027 – 7 Apr 2027 opens in 26 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk
Rain-fed. These dates are worked out from each place's own rainfall, for a field watered by the season — with irrigation a window can open earlier, close later, or come round more than once a year. Check your own field under What grows, or get the Divisi app for a calendar dated to your farm.
What grows in Save with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Save
Every crop in the catalogue is scored against this district, not only the ones that work — so the list above is a decision rather than a shortlist. These are the rest, with what ruled each one out.
- Swiss chard Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cocoa Moderate — Water
- Robusta coffee Moderate — Water
- Oil palm Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Lemon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 20 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Save, and the map colours which kind of ground each part of it is. Your own soil, slope and rainfall will shift the dates — the Divisi app works them out for your field, and dates each job that follows.
Or check your field firstWhat changed in Save
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Mango — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
This calendar moves
Planting windows shift with the forecast. Leave your email and we'll send what changed, and a note when planting time nears — a couple of emails a month at most.
Where to sell it nearby
-
Marché de Glazoué
61 km · Yam, Maize, Cassava, Cowpea
-
Marché Arzèkè
124 km · Yam, Maize, Cowpea, Groundnut
-
Marché de Bohicon
137 km · Maize, Yam, Cassava, Cowpea
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Save?
African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth, Bambara groundnut, Carrot all rate well in Save — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Save?
In Save the window for African eggplant runs 30 Mar 2027 to 20 Aug 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Save?
Divisi does. It reads Save's own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average, so the planting dates and crop shortlist on this page are the same ones the app works out for a field here — then dates each job for that field, and keeps working with no signal.
Is this exact for my own field?
No — these are readings taken across Save, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.